BMW driver accused of smuggling $1.3M in drugs across border

Updated 6:37 pm, Wednesday, April 16, 2014

A Pearland woman was caught at the U.S. and Mexico border with just over $1 million in concealed narcotics, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.

A Pearland woman was caught at the U.S. and Mexico border with just over $1 million in concealed narcotics, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.

Photo: U.S. Customs And Border Protection

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See more major drug busts involving those from the Houston area.

See more major drug busts involving those from the Houston area.

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May 7, 2014: Officials found 24.56 pounds (11.16 kilos) of cocaine concealed in a homemade compartment inside a vehicle frame. The cocaine has a value of about $334,800, and Jeanie Burciaga, 38, and Adrian Martinez, 38, of Brownsville, were arrested and booked into the Fort Bend County Jail on charges of manufacturing/delivery of a controlled substance and second degree charges of unlawful use of a criminal instrument. less

May 7, 2014: Officials found 24.56 pounds (11.16 kilos) of cocaine concealed in a homemade compartment inside a vehicle frame. The cocaine has a value of about $334,800, and Jeanie Burciaga, 38, and Adrian ... more

Photo: Fort Bend County

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May 7, 2014: Humble ISD Elementary school teacher Monica Quintero, 31, and three others were been arrested on drug charges after Montgomery County deputy constables raided their Porter apartment where they found drugs, guns and cash inside. less

May 7, 2014: Humble ISD Elementary school teacher Monica Quintero, 31, and three others were been arrested on drug charges after Montgomery County deputy constables raided their Porter apartment where they ... more

Photo: Scott Engle / Montgomery County Police Reporter

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April 16, 2014: A Pearland woman was caught at the U.S. and Mexico border with just over $1 million in concealed narcotics, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. Officers found 19 pounds of methamphetamine, 12 pounds of heroin and another 10 pounds in cocaine inside the car being driven by the woman.

April 16, 2014: A Pearland woman was caught at the U.S. and Mexico border with just over $1 million in concealed narcotics, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. Officers found 19 pounds ... more

Photo: U.S. Customs And Border Protection

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March 31, 2014: Marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $1.4 million were found at an undisclosed Harris County location. The Harris County Sheriff's Office said it was a tip from the agency's smartphone app that led them to the bust. less

March 31, 2014: Marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $1.4 million were found at an undisclosed Harris County location. The Harris County Sheriff's Office said it was a tip from the agency's ... more

Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office

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March 28, 2014: Martin Martinez, 34, from La Marque, was
driving a Mercedes on I-10 in Baton Rouge, March 23, when he was pulled
over by troopers for improper lane usage. LSP said a search revealed
244 pounds of marijuana. less

March 28, 2014: Martin Martinez, 34, from La Marque, was driving a Mercedes on I-10 in Baton Rouge, March 23, when he was pulled over by troopers for improper lane usage. LSP said a search revealed 244 ... more

Photo: Louisiana State Police

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March 5, 2014: Homeland Security Investigations agents executing a
search warrant for "drug-related activity" found a covert facility and
thousands of pills, said Greg Palmore, a spokesman for the federal
agency. The operation was not a laboratory, like one used to cook
methamphetamine, but used already prepared chemicals to make the pills. less

March 5, 2014: Homeland Security Investigations agents executing a search warrant for "drug-related activity" found a covert facility and thousands of pills, said Greg Palmore, a spokesman for the federal ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

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Feb. 18, 2014: Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies seized
guns and 18 pounds of marijuana at a home in northwest Harris County.
The drugs were valued at about $90,000, and $13,000 in cash was also
discovered. less

Feb. 18, 2014: Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies seized guns and 18 pounds of marijuana at a home in northwest Harris County. The drugs were valued at about $90,000, and $13,000 in cash was also ... more

Photo: HCSO

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Feb. 13, 2014: Law enforcement authorities seized about 3,000
grams of methamphetamine during a traffic stop on the frontage road of
U.S. 59 in Splendora. The drugs were estimated to be worth $300,00, and
two men were arrested. less

Feb. 13, 2014: Law enforcement authorities seized about 3,000 grams of methamphetamine during a traffic stop on the frontage road of U.S. 59 in Splendora. The drugs were estimated to be worth $300,00, and ... more

Photo: MCSO

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March 28, 2014: Martin Martinez, 34, from La Marque, was driving a Mercedes on I-10 in Baton Rouge, March 23, when he was pulled over by troopers for improper lane usage. LSP said a search revealed 244 pounds of marijuana.

March 28, 2014: Martin Martinez, 34, from La Marque, was driving a Mercedes on I-10 in Baton Rouge, March 23, when he was pulled over by troopers for improper lane usage. LSP said a search revealed 244 pounds

March 5, 2014: Homeland Security Investigations agents executing a search warrant for "drug-related activity" found a covert facility and thousands of pills, said Greg Palmore, a spokesman for the federal agency. The operation was not a laboratory, like one used to cook methamphetamine, but used already prepared chemicals to make the pills. less

March 5, 2014: Homeland Security Investigations agents executing a search warrant for "drug-related activity" found a covert facility and thousands of pills, said Greg Palmore, a spokesman for the federal ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

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Feb. 18, 2014: Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies seized guns and 18 pounds of marijuana at a home in northwest Harris County. The drugs were valued at about $90,000, and $13,000 in cash was also discovered. less

Feb. 18, 2014: Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies seized guns and 18 pounds of marijuana at a home in northwest Harris County. The drugs were valued at about $90,000, and $13,000 in cash was also ... more

Photo: HCSO

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Feb. 13, 2014: Law enforcement authorities seized about 3,000 grams of methamphetamine during a traffic stop on the frontage road of U.S. 59 in Splendora. The drugs were estimated to be worth $300,00, and two men were arrested. less

Feb. 13, 2014: Law enforcement authorities seized about 3,000 grams of methamphetamine during a traffic stop on the frontage road of U.S. 59 in Splendora. The drugs were estimated to be worth $300,00, and two ... more

Photo: MCSO

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Nov. 20, 2013: A 29-year-old Houston man was arrested after more than a ton of marijuana was found in his pickup during a traffic stop on U.S. 59 in Sugar Land.

Nov. 20, 2013: A 29-year-old Houston man was arrested after more than a ton of marijuana was found in his pickup during a traffic stop on U.S. 59 in Sugar Land.

Photo: FBCOSO

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Sept. 9, 2013: Two men were arrested after a traffic stop when police discovered nearly 600 pounds of marijuana hidden in a boat the men were towing in Rosenberg,

Sept. 9, 2013: Two men were arrested after a traffic stop when police discovered nearly 600 pounds of marijuana hidden in a boat the men were towing in Rosenberg,

Photo: RPD

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Aug. 29, 2013: A marijuana growing operation worth $1.5 million was discovered near Sealy after sources reported it to the Austin County Sheriff's Office.

Aug. 29, 2013: A marijuana growing operation worth $1.5 million was discovered near Sealy after sources reported it to the Austin County Sheriff's Office.

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Aug. 21, 2013: Between 10,000 and 20,000 plants were found at the farming operation in a heavily wooded, rural area on private land in Conroe. The bust was valued between $5 million to $10 millon.

Aug. 21, 2013: Between 10,000 and 20,000 plants were found at the farming operation in a heavily wooded, rural area on private land in Conroe. The bust was valued between $5 million to $10 millon.

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

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Aug. 20, 2013: An out-of-place irrigation system led Fayette County sheriff's deputies to nearly five acres of marijuana. The eight separate plots totaled 5,771 plants, with an estimated street value of $1 million. less

Aug. 20, 2013: An out-of-place irrigation system led Fayette County sheriff's deputies to nearly five acres of marijuana. The eight separate plots totaled 5,771 plants, with an estimated street value of $1 ... more

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Aug. 1, 2013: A man hauling goats to Houston had a secret compartment in his trailer holding 455 pounds of marijuana, according to the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.

Aug. 1, 2013: A man hauling goats to Houston had a secret compartment in his trailer holding 455 pounds of marijuana, according to the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.

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Aug. 2, 2013: Police seized about 700 marijuana plants, with a value of approximately $2.5M, when they raided a suspected grow house in Pasadena.

Aug. 2, 2013: Police seized about 700 marijuana plants, with a value of approximately $2.5M, when they raided a suspected grow house in Pasadena.

June 21, 2013: Rosenberg police seized more than 20 pounds of heroin during a traffic stop on U.S. 59.

June 21, 2013: Rosenberg police seized more than 20 pounds of heroin during a traffic stop on U.S. 59.

Photo: RPD

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June 10, 2013: A routine traffic stop in Rosenberg resulted in the largest heroin bust in the city's history: 25 pounds of heroin with a street value of more than $2.3 million, Rosenberg police said.

June 10, 2013: A routine traffic stop in Rosenberg resulted in the largest heroin bust in the city's history: 25 pounds of heroin with a street value of more than $2.3 million, Rosenberg police said.

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June 4, 2013: Three men accused of operating a marijuana grow house allegedly tipped off investigators by throwing out their old mail in the same trash bags as marijuana plants and grow-house equipment.

June 4, 2013: Three men accused of operating a marijuana grow house allegedly tipped off investigators by throwing out their old mail in the same trash bags as marijuana plants and grow-house equipment.

Photo: Harris County Pct. 1 Constable

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May 23, 2013: DEA agents bust a synthetic marijuana lab in southwest Houston at a warehouse at 9106 Bellflower near Jeanette. The bust netted about 6,500 envelopes of the substance. The packets were colorful and were printed with names such as Mega Buzz, Serenity Now, Head Trip and Klimax. Agents also seized barrels of chemicals, including acetone, used to make the synthetic cannabis. less

May 23, 2013: DEA agents bust a synthetic marijuana lab in southwest Houston at a warehouse at 9106 Bellflower near Jeanette. The bust netted about 6,500 envelopes of the substance. The packets were colorful ... more

Photo: (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)

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May 13, 2013: A bust happened about 11 p.m. in the 12700 block of Blue Timbers. About 300 pounds of marijuana was seized. It was valued about $1.2 million. An investigation began a few weeks earlier authorities found 200 pounds of marijuana plants stuffed in large trash bags while they were inspecting an illegal dump site at the end of a street on April 10. A clue in the bags led them eventually to the elaborate growhouse on Blue Timbers. less

May 13, 2013: A bust happened about 11 p.m. in the 12700 block of Blue Timbers. About 300 pounds of marijuana was seized. It was valued about $1.2 million. An investigation began a few weeks earlier authorities ... more

Photo: HCC4

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April 25, 2013: Drug raid in Galveston

Undercover officers conducted a buy bust that led to the execution of a search warrant at 18 Colony Park Circle. There, undercover officers seized 9 ounces of cocaine, 3.4 grams of methamphetamine and 129 grams of ecstasy. Investigators also seized $10,930 in cash from the residence. The illicit drugs have an estimated street value $60,000, police said.

Suspicious activity and a strong odor at a Humble-area house led authorities to a meth lab and about 40 pounds of the drug valued at more than $2 million.

April 23, 2013

Suspicious activity and a strong odor at a Humble-area house led authorities to a meth lab and about 40 pounds of the drug valued at more than $2 million.

Photo: Constable's Office

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March 19, 2013: Meth bust in Willis

Meth and cash seized during a search at a home. The discovery was made about 9:30 a.m. at a house on Parret St, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

March 19, 2013: Meth bust in Willis

Meth and cash seized during a search at a home. The discovery was made about 9:30 a.m. at a house on Parret St, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

Photo: Mcso

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March 1, 2013: Fort Bend County Narcotics Task Forceagents busted two marijuana growing operations in the Mission Bend subdivision, seizing plants and grow components with an estimated street value of over $1 million. less

March 1, 2013: Fort Bend County Narcotics Task Force agents busted two marijuana growing operations in the Mission Bend subdivision, seizing plants and grow components with an estimated street value of over $1 ... more

Photo: Fort Bend County SO

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Feb. 27, 2013: Cocaine bust

A 36-year-old Dallas woman was arrested after deputies discovered more than 17 pounds of cocaine in her car during a traffic stop in Montgomery County.

Feb. 27, 2013: Cocaine bust

A 36-year-old Dallas woman was arrested after deputies discovered more than 17 pounds of cocaine in her car during a traffic stop in Montgomery County.

Photo: MCSO

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Feb. 24, 2013: I-45 Cocaine bust

A traffic stop on a Sunday afternoon on northbound Interstate 45 led to the discovery of 15 kilos of cocaine worth about $1.5 million in an old tour bus.

Feb. 24, 2013: I-45 Cocaine bust

A traffic stop on a Sunday afternoon on northbound Interstate 45 led to the discovery of 15 kilos of cocaine worth about $1.5 million in an old tour bus.

Photo: Montgomgery County Police Reporter

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BMW driver accused of smuggling $1.3M in drugs across border

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A Pearland woman was caught at the U.S. and Mexico border with just over $1 million in concealed narcotics, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.

Patricia Jeanette Copes, 41, was charged with importation of a controlled substance, conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

According to a Laredo CBP press release, Copes was stopped in a 2006 BMW X3 at the Juárez–Lincoln International Bridge at around 4 p.m. on April 4.

After an X-ray examination of her vehicle, agents said they found 19 pounds of methamphetamine, 12 pounds of heroin, and 10 more pounds in cocaine concealed inside the vehicle's floor area.

The narcotics in Copes' vehicle had a street value of approximately $1,312,000.

According to the Laredo Morning Times, Copes told investigators she was being paid $1,000 to drive the drugs from Mexico and into Houston.

The next day at the same border stop, CBP uncovered 32 pounds of cocaine in another car, with a value of $1,024,000.

The Pearland Journal reported this week that Copes is being held in the custody of U.S. marshals and held without bail. She is scheduled to appear in a U.S. District Court preliminary hearing later this week.